By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has disclosed that the non-oil sector contributed over $2 billion to the economy in the first six months of the year 2022.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the commission, Mr Ezra Yakusak. He noted that the various non-oil products exported within the period stood at $2.593 billion against the $1.597 billion recorded in the first six months of the year 2021, representing a 64.2 per cent increase.
The NEPC Chief was represented by the Trade Promotion Adviser, Kebbi State office, Mr Muhammad Siraju Dan-Alkali, during a workshop for members of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) in Sokoto State.
He said the 2021 figure was also an increase to the first six months of 2020, which was $981.442 million.
According to him, the impressive non-oil export performance can be attributed to NEPC’s new focus on strategic non-oil export programmes and initiatives such as grassroots export development.
While describing Nigeria’s economy as one that has been oil-dependent for several decades, he said the uncertainties in the crude oil market had caused serious contractions in government revenue from oil with great consequences.
The NEPC also donated 30,000 customised sacks to NOPPMAN in Sokoto State.
Delivering the customised sacks on behalf of the council, the Trade Promotion Adviser, Sokoto Zonal office, Mr Ahmed Yahaya, said the gesture was aimed at encouraging the association on how to package their onions for exportation.
He said with the items, Nigerian onions will be easily identified and distinguished from other countries’ products in the global market.
Mr Yahaya further said since the opening of the Sokoto office, the interest of onion producers and marketers has always been a priority.
While calling on the group to work with NEPC to take the country to the rightful position in the onion global market, Mr Yahaya reiterated that Nigerian onions are still the best in the country. He called on marketers to use a special package for easy identification of their products in the global market.
